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Anyone modify their BW Hitch release arm?

ETCrockett
Explorer
Explorer
I have a 2009 F-450 DRW and I stand about 5'8". The only way I can remove the pin and open the jaws on my BW hitch is with a step stool. I was wondering if anyone has done any mods to make it easier to pull the bar forward to open the jaws? If not, I'll keep using the step stool until I think of something clever!
Eric & Andrea
2016 Jayco Pinnacle 38FLSA
2009 Ford F450 DRW
34 REPLIES 34

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Explorer III
laknox wrote:
richheck wrote:
YouTube video of modification,you may be interested in.

Link to video of modification


I like the lube plate attached to the hitch plate, too. :B

Lyle


CUTE idea but lets see that with a lock. As far as the slip plate goes mine stays tight to the bottom of the inbox/kingpin.
2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"

"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600

2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable

2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD

laknox
Nomad
Nomad
richheck wrote:
YouTube video of modification,you may be interested in.

Link to video of modification


I like the lube plate attached to the hitch plate, too. :B

Lyle
2022 GMC Sierra 3500 HD Denali Crew Cab 4x4 Duramax
B&W OEM Companion & Gooseneck Kit
2017 KZ Durango 1500 D277RLT
1936 John Deere Model A
International Flying Farmers 64 Year Member

fj12ryder
Explorer III
Explorer III
richheck wrote:
YouTube video of modification,you may be interested in.

Link to video of modification
Now that's a very simple way to do it. It seems unlikely the longer pin would bounce out of the hole once underway. Good execution.
Howard and Peggy

"Don't Panic"

richheck
Explorer
Explorer
YouTube video of modification,you may be interested in.

Link to video of modification
2013 Ford F-350 4WD DWD 6.7PSD
2010 Jeep Wrangler
2017 Landmark 365 Arlington

Vette_Racer
Explorer
Explorer


Thanks to all that gave me the info to post this. I said earlier that I used 6 magnets, wrong, it was 4, could use 6 if you want but 4 is plenty.
KE5NCP
2016 Ram CC Dually, 2011 HitchHiker 349 RSB DA, 2018 Wrangler unlimited Rubicon

BarneyS
Explorer III
Explorer III
Don't need an online hosting service to post pictures on these forums. See the post above this one for the URL of the app.

Simply upload your picture to the app.
Copy the resulting URL.
Paste that URL into a post without making ANY alterations.

Your picture will then appear and be properly sized for use on the forums.
Barney
2004 Sunnybrook Titan 30FKS TT
Hensley "Arrow" 1400# hitch (Sold)
Not towing now.
Former tow vehicles were 2016 Ram 2500 CTD, 2002 Ford F250, 7.3 PSD, 1997 Ram 2500 5.9 gas engine

Me_Again
Explorer II
Explorer II
Vette Racer wrote:
dedmiston wrote:
Vette Racer wrote:
I had the same problem even though I use a milk crate to stand on, my solution was to drill a couple of holes on the release arm and installed a long flat steel bar to the arm so it extends almost to the bed rail, mounted six rectangle magnets on the bar and took a piece of 1/4 inch round steel, bent it 4 inches in to form a ninety degree end that goes through the locking hole and it lays on the magnets to keep it in place and can be used to reach the hole for locking the arm open as well.

Those dually fenders, especially on the Ram makes it hard to get to anything while standing outside the bed, even on a step, when you're short and fat and old. LOL


Do you have any pictures of this?
I have some but can't figure out how to get them here, they are on my IPhone and computer. I don't have any on line hosting service either.


Per RV.net instructions go here http://photoposting.is-great.net/ and upload them. It gives you a url to paste into a post.
2021 F150 2.7 Ecoboost - Summer Home 2017 Bighorn 3575el. Can Am Spyder RT-L Chrome, Kawasaki KRX1000. Retired and enjoying it! RIP DW 07-05-2021

Vette_Racer
Explorer
Explorer
dedmiston wrote:
Vette Racer wrote:
I had the same problem even though I use a milk crate to stand on, my solution was to drill a couple of holes on the release arm and installed a long flat steel bar to the arm so it extends almost to the bed rail, mounted six rectangle magnets on the bar and took a piece of 1/4 inch round steel, bent it 4 inches in to form a ninety degree end that goes through the locking hole and it lays on the magnets to keep it in place and can be used to reach the hole for locking the arm open as well.

Those dually fenders, especially on the Ram makes it hard to get to anything while standing outside the bed, even on a step, when you're short and fat and old. LOL


Do you have any pictures of this?
I have some but can't figure out how to get them here, they are on my IPhone and computer. I don't have any on line hosting service either.
KE5NCP
2016 Ram CC Dually, 2011 HitchHiker 349 RSB DA, 2018 Wrangler unlimited Rubicon

dedmiston
Moderator
Moderator
Vette Racer wrote:
I had the same problem even though I use a milk crate to stand on, my solution was to drill a couple of holes on the release arm and installed a long flat steel bar to the arm so it extends almost to the bed rail, mounted six rectangle magnets on the bar and took a piece of 1/4 inch round steel, bent it 4 inches in to form a ninety degree end that goes through the locking hole and it lays on the magnets to keep it in place and can be used to reach the hole for locking the arm open as well.

Those dually fenders, especially on the Ram makes it hard to get to anything while standing outside the bed, even on a step, when you're short and fat and old. LOL


Do you have any pictures of this?

2014 RAM 3500 Diesel 4x4 Dually long bed. B&W RVK3600 hitch โ€ข 2015 Crossroads Elevation Homestead Toy Hauler ("The Taj Mahauler") โ€ข <\br >Toys:

  • 18 Can Am Maverick x3
  • 05 Yamaha WR450
  • 07 Honda CRF250X
  • 05 Honda CRF230
  • 06 Honda CRF230

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Explorer III
Thanks for the compliments!

Ok, here are more pics of the mechanics of my custom step. I don't care if anyone builds one of these but only for your "personal" use as I have this design documented in many places as MINE.

The step sets on 1.5" sq tube. The sleeve is custom made out of two pcs of angle to give about 1/16" slop around the tube.

There is a bolt hole already in the bed crossmember that I bolted the top angle to. The drilled hole was to add another bolt. Later designs I simple added a couple self drilling screws in that are to the crossmember thru the angle for stability.

What i like about this is I can easily reach into my toolbox and hitch from this one location and it tucks away being almost invisible.




2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"

"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600

2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable

2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD

Lar_s
Explorer
Explorer


Here is my step.... though I admit, I do use a stool once in a while just for an easier reach.
Lar

2015 Dynamax Trilogy
36 RL
Ram 3500 Dually

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Explorer III
I will post more info tomorrow.
2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"

"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600

2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable

2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD

Wood_chip
Explorer
Explorer
Cummins12V98 wrote:
No one makes one of these that places the pad right in from of the wheel to make it easy to reach the hitch handle, so I fabricated this. Works great to get into my tool box also. No ladder to pack around!




Nice work!
2017 Chevy HD 3500 Dually LTZ D/A combo crew cab / Bilstein 4600's / Ride Rite air bags w remote / 50 gal transfer flow Aux tank / Trailersaver BD5
2020 Arctic Fox 32-5m with most options + 17.5 wheel & tire combo

Keithk3628
Explorer
Explorer
Cummins12V98 wrote:
No one makes one of these that places the pad right in from of the wheel to make it easy to reach the hitch handle, so I fabricated this. Works great to get into my tool box also. No ladder to pack around!




Great idea, tried to quote this in previous post but didn't work, Thanks for any more info or pic's